Why Do Caddisfly Larvae Wear Stick Suits?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do [caddisfly, CAD-iss-fly] larvae wear stick suits?

The Big Idea

A caddisfly larva has a soft body. It builds a portable case, like a tiny suit, to hide inside. The suit is a walking cave made of sand, sticks, or stones.

Silk Is Spun

Step one: silk is spun. The larva makes silk thread from its own body, and it uses the thread as glue. Silk is the secret that holds the suit together.

Sticks and Sand Stick

Step two: sticks and sand stick on. The larva glues bits of sand, twigs, or tiny stones into a tube. Each kind of caddisfly has its own style. Some build pebble tanks, and others build twig logs.

The Case Hides the Body

Step three: the case hides the body. Only the head and legs poke out as the larva walks along the stream bottom. The case hides it from fish, and a pebble case is heavy enough to help it hold its place in the current.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a stick suit! Sticks make a light, strong wall. Silk is the glue that holds the pieces together. Sand grains and stones add weight and armor. And the larva pokes its head out to walk and eat!

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Finding cases under rocks is a sign of a fairly clean stream. Put rocks back where you found them, because you just opened a neighborhood. Do not peel a case off just to see inside. Stream dipping needs closed shoes and a plan to put every animal back.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Look at a case from a stream with a grown-up. If you find a tiny log that walks, what is inside? What two jobs is the case doing? Why glue on stones instead of swimming around with no suit? Then gently put the larva back where it lives.

Outro

Caddisfly larvae show us that clever builders can make their own clothes. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!